I've often shared that spring is my favorite season, because I feel it's a time of renewal and fresh beginnings. It's also a perfect time to self reflect and look at what's going on in our personal lives. If we see relationships that need work, focus on them, and make the changes that are necessary.
That's what I loved about Lauren Clark's new novel, STARDUST SUMMER. It spoke straight to my heart about family, forgiveness, resentments and falling in love again. From the moment I started reading her book I couldn't put it down. It spoke to situations in my own life and I'm sure I won't be alone.
Grace Mason is a single mother living a quiet life with her eight year old son, Evan in Ocean Spring, Mississippi. The father of her son is a distant memory. She lives in a small house, has a teaching job, her mother is dead and she is estranged from her father, Henry who lives on a lake house in upstate New York. She gets word from her step-mother, Kathleen that Henry has suffered a massive heart attack, after not being in contact with him for years.
By the time Grace and Evan make it to New York, Henry has passed. There's a funeral and several days for the three of them to get to know one another, sort of. That's when they realize how much they don't, but how much they need each other. Kathleen's neighbor, Dr. Ryan Gordon, is divorced and attracted to Grace and Evan looks up to him. Ryan has been helping out the Masons for years and knows all about Grace and Evan. Having a lake house is a great buffer for serious discussions and clearing up misunderstandings.
"The water is therapeutic. My dad always said there was something magic about this lake. Something in the stardust, especially when it's summer," Grace tilted her head back looking at the moon hanging low over the water. "Maybe he was right"
You know where this is going. But, who is going to give in first. It's Lauren Clark's beautiful writing that doesn't let it turn into cliche.
"She thought about the words, 'I gave forgiveness I'd been denying.' That could have been written for me."
You'll definitely want to pour yourself a nice glass of Merlot or Savignon Blanc and take yourself to your favorite quiet space and settle in to read STARDUST SUMMER. You won't be disappointed.
We'll be back next Wednesday with another review! xo cindy
